Athena Reed

Beelman Truck Co. was started in 1906 by Frank Beelman, Sr., who began this business by hauling coal and ice in St. Louis, MO with 2 teams of horse-drawn wagons. The ice was delivered to households and businesses for cooling purposes before the refrigerator and freezer was a staple in the home. Coal was delivered in the winter for residential and commercial heating. In 1917, Frank Sr. purchased a farm in St. Libory, IL and moved there with his family. In 1928 he purchased a general store in St. Libory and with a 1926 Chevrolet truck started hauling produce to St. Louis and returned with supplies for his store, and others located in Belleville, Freeburg and Fayetteville, IL. With the purchase of two more trucks, hauling to the local farmers began with limestone from railroad cars in 1934 and from the quarries in 1935. In 1939 he began to haul garbage from the St. Louis restaurants to feed his 700 hogs. Frank Beelman, Jr., born in 1920, helped his father as soon as he was old enough to wield a shovel and reach the truck pedals. Frank began driving for his father in 1934 at the age of 14. In 1939 Frank, Jr. left with four trucks to work at various government projects in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Weldon Springs, MO and Gary, IN until he joined the Army in 1942 with the onset of World War II. Home on a weekend leave, he married his sweetheart, Kathryn Bozsa in 1943. Upon Frank’s return to Illinois in 1945 he bought a new truck and began hauling limestone, rock and coal. In 1950 when a new mine in St. Clair County opened Frank purchased ten tractors and trailers. While starting this fledgling business Frank also owned and operated the local school bus route and farmed as well. Kay worked by her husband’s side as the company’s bookkeeper/office manager for the next 50 years. Frank “Sam” Beelman, III was born in 1955 and was raised amid the trucks and axle grease. Sam’s wife, Shelly, joined the Beelman staff in the 1980’s. The Main office was built in 2004.